Oneida - Rated O

As a triple-CD set released as the second instalment of a triptych of albums, Rated O could either have turned out an epic listen or an indulgent disappointment. Thankfully, it’s the former, although that’s not to say there aren’t any lulls in quality. Disc One finds Oneida firmly in electro-land; Brownout in Lagos is submarine dancehall, all throbbing echoes and ragga-man vocals. The sheer amount of bass produces a weirdly enjoyable throbbing effect, but by the end of the disc, fatigue gives way to boredom. Disc Two sees the arrival of guitars and drum kits, with This Life You Preferred re-stoking the fires, and the final CD takes a more hypnotic vibe, with the sitars of O anticipating a raga-rock jam, closing with a tasty mix of the organic and synthetic. Overall, some great moments that stand out, but perhaps some careful pruning could have made this album a must-listen effort.